Preview — The Ha-Ha by Dave King

The Ha-Ha

Howard Kapostash has not spoken in thirty years. The small repertory of gestures and simple sounds that he uses to communicate lead most people to assume he is disturbed. No one understands that Howard is still the same man he was before his tragic injury. But when he agrees to help an old girlfriend by opening his home to her nine-year-old son, the presence of this nervouHoward Kapostash has not spoken in thirty years. The small repertory of gestures and simple sounds that he uses to communicate lead most people to assume he is disturbed. No one understands that Howard is still the same man he was before his tragic injury. But when he agrees to help an old girlfriend by opening his home to her nine-year-old son, the presence of this nervous, resourceful boy in his life transforms Howard utterly. He is afforded a rare glimpse of life outside his shell ? with all its exuberant joys and crushing sorrows....more

Kindle Edition, 368 pages

Published
January 11th 2005
by Little, Brown and Company
(first published January 2005)

Community Reviews

I kept waiting for this book to veer into mawkishness, and it is to Dave King's enormous credit that he managed to avoid this particular trap. For a first novel, this is pretty impressive, and I will definitely be on the lookout for further work by this author.

Not a perfect book by any means, but a very good one. It has an understated power that creeps up on you. I recommend it highly. I'm deliberately stingy with my five-star ratings, but I did consider it here. Which probably translates to 4.I kept waiting for this book to veer into mawkishness, and it is to Dave King's enormous credit that he managed to avoid this particular trap. For a first novel, this is pretty impressive, and I will definitely be on the lookout for further work by this author.

Not a perfect book by any means, but a very good one. It has an understated power that creeps up on you. I recommend it highly. I'm deliberately stingy with my five-star ratings, but I did consider it here. Which probably translates to 4.5 stars, truth be told....more

I picked this up as a harcover on sale for 5 bucks, read the flap and thought, ok, this might work...

Wow. It is such a great story written in such an easy, down to earth, everyman (but not, as youll soon see) tone....

The main character had severe head trama in the war at a young age, came home, had surgery, but lost the ability to speak, and write and sometimes has trouble reading. He is normal in every other sense of the word. Holds down a job, has a few close friends, manages to get by on hisI picked this up as a harcover on sale for 5 bucks, read the flap and thought, ok, this might work...

Wow. It is such a great story written in such an easy, down to earth, everyman (but not, as youll soon see) tone....

The main character had severe head trama in the war at a young age, came home, had surgery, but lost the ability to speak, and write and sometimes has trouble reading. He is normal in every other sense of the word. Holds down a job, has a few close friends, manages to get by on his own until he gets the phone call....

You follow his struggles as a woman friend he secretly pines for goes to drug rehab and leaves him in charge of her tweenage son..... he must find ways to communicate with the kid, and the world around him.... its a love story, and a story about overcoming ones disability in the face of adversary....

Although the title might lead one to think that it's funny, this book was described to me as "depressing." In fact, the title refers to a type of hidden retaining wall, rather than laughter. Either way, though, I wouldn't describe the book depressing myself, aside from the steep slide downward toward the end.

Rather, I'd say this book is astonishingly hopeful. Our main character has overcome a great deal of adversity, and managed to make a life for himself despite an injury that has left him unabAlthough the title might lead one to think that it's funny, this book was described to me as "depressing." In fact, the title refers to a type of hidden retaining wall, rather than laughter. Either way, though, I wouldn't describe the book depressing myself, aside from the steep slide downward toward the end.

Rather, I'd say this book is astonishingly hopeful. Our main character has overcome a great deal of adversity, and managed to make a life for himself despite an injury that has left him unable to speak or to read easily. He has overcome addiction and the death of parents. He has made a life for himself, and achieved an equilibrium largely characterized by his detachment from the people around him.

But when his high school sweetheart asks him to take in her 9-year-old son, Ryan, while she goes to rehab, he finds that they are able to form a bond. But perhaps this emotional reawakening is not all that Howard thinks it will be. Inevitably, though, Ryan must return to his mother, and Howard finds his newly constructed world unraveling.

This is the depressing part of the book, which perhaps is more drawn out than it needed to be. Again, Howard must struggle, but this time, instead of finding solace in solitude, Howard is able to turn to the relationships he formed through Ryan and find comfort in companionship....more

I enjoyed this book, but not a lot. The main character, Howard, suffered a severe head injury in Vietnam and cannot speak. He has much difficulty reading, and can barely write as well. So how did he tell this story? I know I probably shouldn't wonder about this, but I do. It was a sweet story, with mostly well-developed characters.

Howard is asked by his ex-girlfriend to care for her 9-year-old son while she is in rehab. Predictably, the veteran and the boy form a bond. It is not all sweetness. TI enjoyed this book, but not a lot. The main character, Howard, suffered a severe head injury in Vietnam and cannot speak. He has much difficulty reading, and can barely write as well. So how did he tell this story? I know I probably shouldn't wonder about this, but I do. It was a sweet story, with mostly well-developed characters.

Howard is asked by his ex-girlfriend to care for her 9-year-old son while she is in rehab. Predictably, the veteran and the boy form a bond. It is not all sweetness. There are some scenes that are filled with anger and suffering. I thought that the book dragged in places, mostly toward the end. But all in all, it was a good story and it showed what caring for someone other than yourself can do to a person....more

This is a book I would not have picked up without the recommendation from a friend -- and I really enjoyed it. It is about a man injured in the Vietnam War and now cannot speak. A Ha Ha is a burm or wall errected so that an illusion is created. A person looking out would see a landscape, for example, and not see what is really there -- like a highway below the burm.

I originally bought this book for Dan at a yard sale last summer but ended up reading it myself this summer. It's a sentimental tale of a mute Vietnam war veteran who must care for a boy while his mother's recovering from a drug problem. King does a good job of helping the reader to empathize with the narrator's frustrations as he struggles to communicate with the people around him and build more meaningful relationships. King is also skilled at tracking the mundane chores and behaviors of dailyI originally bought this book for Dan at a yard sale last summer but ended up reading it myself this summer. It's a sentimental tale of a mute Vietnam war veteran who must care for a boy while his mother's recovering from a drug problem. King does a good job of helping the reader to empathize with the narrator's frustrations as he struggles to communicate with the people around him and build more meaningful relationships. King is also skilled at tracking the mundane chores and behaviors of daily life and making them fairly engaging to read. It certainly helps that the narrator spends a lot of time talking about delicious food.

What King needs to work on, should he write other novels, is pacing. The plot pokes along for a couple hundred pages--a baseball game here, a building project there, a hot pancake breakfast over there--and then suddenly throws the characters into a profound crisis and gets them out of it in about 60 pages. It was rather like standing out in right field, getting distracted and sluggish from the warm sunshine, only to have a baseball fall from the sky and hit you on the head.

This book was an easy listen and held my attention. My only complaint is that it seemed to only brush the surface of the complex emotions boiling beneath. This may not be the fault of the author as this version was abridged and I typically avoid abridgements for this reason and the fact that I hate to miss anything when listening to a novel.

I found it interesting to read a book from the point of view of a character who cannot communicate with others via speech or writing and who has isolated himThis book was an easy listen and held my attention. My only complaint is that it seemed to only brush the surface of the complex emotions boiling beneath. This may not be the fault of the author as this version was abridged and I typically avoid abridgements for this reason and the fact that I hate to miss anything when listening to a novel.

I found it interesting to read a book from the point of view of a character who cannot communicate with others via speech or writing and who has isolated himself from society because of his disability. I thought the characters were realistically written, especially Ryan, the wary child and his self-centered mother and liked the fact that none of these characters were perfect.

I still can't figure out why the main character never bothered to learn sign language but then it would have been a different book altogether . . .

This story deals with difficult issues in a very believable manner. I felt as though every character played his/her part well, from the 9 yr. old, to the former jock 20 somethings to the drug addict mom and the main character Vietnam vet, head-injury Howard. King was into Howard's head and I could feel his pain. I kept wondering what would I do to help and what could the people around him do. A few of the reviews felt as though the war happened 20 yrs ago and he should have found a way to communThis story deals with difficult issues in a very believable manner. I felt as though every character played his/her part well, from the 9 yr. old, to the former jock 20 somethings to the drug addict mom and the main character Vietnam vet, head-injury Howard. King was into Howard's head and I could feel his pain. I kept wondering what would I do to help and what could the people around him do. A few of the reviews felt as though the war happened 20 yrs ago and he should have found a way to communicate. I found this believable, as I have met too many Vietnam vets whose time in Vietnam still affects their lives today. The book is probably not for the faint of heart, some have complained about foul language, crudity or explicitness. I did not find it gratuitous and felt that it fit and was possibly needed to flesh-out the characters. Medicine has more questions than answers for head injuries....more

I really liked this book. All of the core characters are so richly developed, and the author puts us right into the main character, Howard's, head. The story vacillates from heartwrenching to joyous and everything in between.

From Howard's situation of being appointed caretaker of a 9-year-old boy, the reader sees Howard's life transform from almost robot-like with only token interaction with others, to one of depth and rich relationships.

And maybe Howard wasn't ready to feel so "human", as he uI really liked this book. All of the core characters are so richly developed, and the author puts us right into the main character, Howard's, head. The story vacillates from heartwrenching to joyous and everything in between.

From Howard's situation of being appointed caretaker of a 9-year-old boy, the reader sees Howard's life transform from almost robot-like with only token interaction with others, to one of depth and rich relationships.

And maybe Howard wasn't ready to feel so "human", as he unexpectedly comes to feel. The author takes us through the whole roller coaster ride with much skill. I felt like I was right in the middle of the story. It even made me nostalgic for my days as a little league baseball parent/coach - no small feat!

As for why 4 stars and not 5? I can't say, other than I'm just stingy that way. ...more

The only issue I had with this book was I couldn't believe that a man who can't speak and can't write but understands what is being said around him did not learn how to read lips or sign language. Something about this character willfully relying on others to understand and interpret the world around him rang false. Why be so independent yet so unwilling to engage the world around you? I understand he's broken by what happened to him and still in mourning for a life that he thought was his, but tThe only issue I had with this book was I couldn't believe that a man who can't speak and can't write but understands what is being said around him did not learn how to read lips or sign language. Something about this character willfully relying on others to understand and interpret the world around him rang false. Why be so independent yet so unwilling to engage the world around you? I understand he's broken by what happened to him and still in mourning for a life that he thought was his, but that was the one thing that struck me as false. Otherwise, it was a good debut with a solid - albeit slightly petulant -- ending....more

Impressive first novel. A story that could turn to "depressing" really fast, never did that. I felt it was uplifting most of the time, and when it got sad (the first time I have cried over a novel in a long long time) you cry for the people who can't begin to understand what this man is experiencing. Through it all Howard is acutely aware of his shortcomings and deals with them in expected ways, even when he loses it! (who wouldn't under the circumstances) I would give this novel 4 and a half stImpressive first novel. A story that could turn to "depressing" really fast, never did that. I felt it was uplifting most of the time, and when it got sad (the first time I have cried over a novel in a long long time) you cry for the people who can't begin to understand what this man is experiencing. Through it all Howard is acutely aware of his shortcomings and deals with them in expected ways, even when he loses it! (who wouldn't under the circumstances) I would give this novel 4 and a half starts if goodreads allowed that....more

I read somewhere that this was one of the best books of 2005.... I could see how some would think so.

Smooth and full of life, this novel is a delightfully satisfying, believable and well written work of art that reminds me of Lori Lansens' writing. The characters are flawed and quirky, but are so well developed and evolving that they are likeable despite their failings.

I would not have chosen this book by the title itself or the back cover summary, so I was glad to have come upon this book on aI read somewhere that this was one of the best books of 2005.... I could see how some would think so.

Smooth and full of life, this novel is a delightfully satisfying, believable and well written work of art that reminds me of Lori Lansens' writing. The characters are flawed and quirky, but are so well developed and evolving that they are likeable despite their failings.

I would not have chosen this book by the title itself or the back cover summary, so I was glad to have come upon this book on a must-read list....more

Howard, a Vietnam vet, was injured in the war, and lost his ability to speak. His former girlfriend is a coke addict looking for a place to leave her son while she goes to rehab, and Howard, who is at her beckon call, takes him in. The story, which has great potential, never takes off. Not only that, but the premise that Howard never learned sign language, or any method of communication isn't believable. This dog just wont hunt.

This book is written from the perspective of a mute. Howie can't talk due to an injury sustained in Vietnam, and his brain's malfunctioning doesn't allow him to write or read either. Reading is a silent activity, but this is a book that made me feel even more silent. Contemplating Howie's life and reading about his struggles to communicate was even better than the plot to me.

A very moving book with a completely new sort of protagonist. An interesting read to do right after putting down "Matterhorn." I wasn't crazy about the last fifth of the story but otherwise, I was really riveted by the writing and became very fond of the characters. Excellent writing about a boy from a man without children, also, which is impressive.

It took me a lifetime to get through this book. Okay, well, I am being a bit hyperbolic, but still. Literally, it took me two months to get through this book because EVERYTHING was more interesting than this plot line. I keep reading and saying to myself, "Okay, so what's going to happen?" and for the longest time, nothing really happens. After about 240 pages, it starts happening but by then, I just wanted to be done. Here's the lowdown: Man who was in military for 16 days get major BTI, losesIt took me a lifetime to get through this book. Okay, well, I am being a bit hyperbolic, but still. Literally, it took me two months to get through this book because EVERYTHING was more interesting than this plot line. I keep reading and saying to myself, "Okay, so what's going to happen?" and for the longest time, nothing really happens. After about 240 pages, it starts happening but by then, I just wanted to be done. Here's the lowdown: Man who was in military for 16 days get major BTI, loses ability to speak, now works as a maintenance guy at a convent and leases out parts of his home to misfits. Girlfriend he had before service time turns out to be drug addict, has kid with someone else. Now she needs rehab and who gets the kid, even though it's not his? Yep, you guessed it. Kid brings misfits together, guy gets ideas about family. Girl gets out of rehab, doesn't have same ideas, guy's PTSD rages, finally. There ya go. I think my synopsis was actually as exciting as the book itself, maybe more so. I'm being harsh I know - I think maybe it was just trying so hard to be poetic with these long drawn out passages about driving around town, or not being able to breathe in a hallway, or laying in bed staring at ceilings that it just got tiresome. I think the last 100 pages were awesome but the back story should have been THE story and then it might have been pretty awesome. ...more

I listened to the unabridged audio, and can highly recommend it. Howard is mute, yet you're hearing his thoughts, a far more intense experience than reading them in print. Moreover, the narrator does a great job with the other characters as well, especially Laurel's soft Texas twang.

The best book I have read in a long time, you will fall in love with these characters. I missed them and could not stop thinking about them after I had finished reading. Just of bunch of unusual people thrown together by life. You must read this!

Another good example of needing 1/2 stars, I didn't love everything about this book but it was an interesting character study and the portrait of a man struggling to come to terms with his disability was overall a moving one. I would have gone with 3.5 if I could have. Dave King is a strong writer.One note to the reviewers who questioned a mute who couldn't read telling his story - this was an internal monologue. There have been other books like this but right now the only one I can think of isAnother good example of needing 1/2 stars, I didn't love everything about this book but it was an interesting character study and the portrait of a man struggling to come to terms with his disability was overall a moving one. I would have gone with 3.5 if I could have. Dave King is a strong writer.One note to the reviewers who questioned a mute who couldn't read telling his story - this was an internal monologue. There have been other books like this but right now the only one I can think of is "Johnny Got his Gun". ...more

I really wanted to like Howie; I wanted to root for him as an underdog; I wanted to feel his pain and isolation . . . but I didn't.

Howard and Sylvia are high school sweethearts. She, the free spirited, beautiful artist, and he, the slow and steady dutiful, only child. But then Howie goes to war, lasting 16 days in the jungle before he is nearly killed by a mortar. Alive, but with a horrible head wound, Howie has lost the ability to speak, read and write. In the next twenty years, he establishesI really wanted to like Howie; I wanted to root for him as an underdog; I wanted to feel his pain and isolation . . . but I didn't.

Howard and Sylvia are high school sweethearts. She, the free spirited, beautiful artist, and he, the slow and steady dutiful, only child. But then Howie goes to war, lasting 16 days in the jungle before he is nearly killed by a mortar. Alive, but with a horrible head wound, Howie has lost the ability to speak, read and write. In the next twenty years, he establishes a routine, but depressing life, while Sylvia has become a drug addict.

When Sylvia is forced into rehab, Howie becomes the unlikely guardian of Ryan, Sylvia's 9-year old bi-racial son (father unknown). Add in Howard's housemates Laurel, Harrison and Stevie, and watch the unlikely dynamic unfurl.

All in all, it is probably close to what this life might be like for this cast of characters, but I wanted more. I wanted more depth and consistency . . . but then again, maybe it is a true commentary of what we don't know about traumatic brain injury and PTSD....more

Meeting Howard and reading his thoughts, things he's been unable to voice for thirty years was a like meeting a new friend that seems as if you've known forever. The first 3/4 of The Ha-Ha was mild and entertaining. The idea for this book and character was inspired. The whole cast of characters is well thought out. After a huge setback in his life, Howard still hangs on to every word and every movement and the tentative friendship of Sylvia who can do no wrong in his eyes. When she calls on HowaMeeting Howard and reading his thoughts, things he's been unable to voice for thirty years was a like meeting a new friend that seems as if you've known forever. The first 3/4 of The Ha-Ha was mild and entertaining. The idea for this book and character was inspired. The whole cast of characters is well thought out. After a huge setback in his life, Howard still hangs on to every word and every movement and the tentative friendship of Sylvia who can do no wrong in his eyes. When she calls on Howard to care for her nine year old son, (obviously not Howie's child) while she goes into rehab Howard can't refuse Sylvia but enters into the arrangement with many doubts. He can't speak so how will he communicate with the boy? Though he doesn't realize it, Howard has a group of friends that make a wonderful support system and as he and Ryan find their way, Howard starts to see Sylvia in a different light. The story builds from the mild beginning to a crashing turning point and an unexpected ending. I found Howard increasingly likable. The only confusing part was the strange encounters with Timothy, the homeless person that Howard would always be on the look out for on his night walks. Perhaps Timothy was like a warning of what Howard might become if he didn't keep control. Very good book, well written....more

This book has a good story and Dave King is a good writer. The story is about creating family.

While reading The Ha-Ha, I occasionally paused to ponder how Howard, the narrator and protagonist, could be telling his story since he cannot speak or write. Sentences that are perfectly formed in his mind are garbled when he speaks and forgotten as he struggles to write them. Howard communicates with gestures and facial and body expressions. He also has tremendous difficulty reading.

Does the book existThis book has a good story and Dave King is a good writer. The story is about creating family.

While reading The Ha-Ha, I occasionally paused to ponder how Howard, the narrator and protagonist, could be telling his story since he cannot speak or write. Sentences that are perfectly formed in his mind are garbled when he speaks and forgotten as he struggles to write them. Howard communicates with gestures and facial and body expressions. He also has tremendous difficulty reading.

Does the book exist only in Howard's mind? No, it's a tangible thing I hold in my hands! Did the author wonder if his readers would wonder how this book got written? I think he did, and he knew that Howard as narrator was the best way to tell the story so he went for it. Yet, physically, Howard could never have written or spoken the tale.

It wouldn't have worked for a third-person narrator to be constantly saying that Howard thought this, Howard felt that, Howard recalled the other. There would be no relief from the narrator because Howard can't engage in dialogue.

Maybe Laurel transcribed the book by asking Howard to nod 'yes' or 'no' for every word in it. I doubt that could have happened since Laurel has a day job and the story seems to have been written in the near-present. Maybe a computer scanned Howard's brain. Nope, it's not that kind of book. Maybe Howard eventually relearned how to speak and write. I think not, since the little chunk of his brain that was missing was the cause of his difficulties and couldn't regenerate. It wasn't that kind of book, either. It's a straight-up novel....more

With its fantastic characters (especially our narrator, Howard, a Vietnam vet who can neither speak nor read post-injury), spots of humor and a note of redemption, this novel tells the story of one good damaged man and his coming to terms with his own need to give and receive love. It also raised larger issues of how all of us communicate with and (often) misunderstand one another. It made me aware of how easy it is to misinterpret others' motivations. It reminded me of the need to suspend judgmWith its fantastic characters (especially our narrator, Howard, a Vietnam vet who can neither speak nor read post-injury), spots of humor and a note of redemption, this novel tells the story of one good damaged man and his coming to terms with his own need to give and receive love. It also raised larger issues of how all of us communicate with and (often) misunderstand one another. It made me aware of how easy it is to misinterpret others' motivations. It reminded me of the need to suspend judgment, even when--maybe especially when--something looks on the surface like an open-shut case....more

This book tells the beautiful story of a man who cannot speak or read due to a head injury he experienced decades earlier. When his high school sweatheart asks him to care for her 9-year-old son while she goes into drug rehab, he agrees, and learns to see the world in a whole new way.

The book is about his healing, and his struggles to communicate his love to the boy without words. It's so moving to see how the two of them connect, without the man being able to verbalize his love. It also shows hThis book tells the beautiful story of a man who cannot speak or read due to a head injury he experienced decades earlier. When his high school sweatheart asks him to care for her 9-year-old son while she goes into drug rehab, he agrees, and learns to see the world in a whole new way.

The book is about his healing, and his struggles to communicate his love to the boy without words. It's so moving to see how the two of them connect, without the man being able to verbalize his love. It also shows how you can make a real difference in the life of another person, despite your own limitations.

I especially apprecaited how the author shows us the consequences of misunderstanding others, and that past trauma can really change someone. We need to be more compassionate when we encounter people like the main character in this novel.

It's also extremely interesting how the main character comes alive, as we understand his thoughts and feelings that he can't communicate to the other characters. It's a very heartwarming novel.

My only negative comments are that it is really focused on some male topics, like baseball. Sometimes I got bogged down in some of the male-focused storytelling....more

This book has real heart. It is a well-written and moving story of Howard, a man wounded in Vietnam who can't speak or write, and how taking care of the 9-year old son of a dear friend touches him much more than he expects.

I found in the author interview that Dave King is also a poet, and it shows in his writing. His words are well chosen and evoke a poignant response. For instance, here are a couple of sentences of a description of Howard watching the 9-year old play baseball: "Suddenly I realThis book has real heart. It is a well-written and moving story of Howard, a man wounded in Vietnam who can't speak or write, and how taking care of the 9-year old son of a dear friend touches him much more than he expects.

I found in the author interview that Dave King is also a poet, and it shows in his writing. His words are well chosen and evoke a poignant response. For instance, here are a couple of sentences of a description of Howard watching the 9-year old play baseball: "Suddenly I realize how parents become idiots: for the present, my woes with Timothy and Sylvia are forgotten, and I want to call out Ryan's name, blow kisses, and make boisterous jokes 'til he turns around. ... The moment is mine, and the blue sky casts a golden light."

I also liked how the author makes us *live* the story through Howard. He doesn't go into long descriptions of why things are the way they are; we just live them through Howard's first person experiences and actions. And, it is through Howard's experiences and actions that you understand some of what he suffers.

This is one of those books that highlights the fact that sometimes one book that is great for one person, just doesn't do it for another. I picked up this book based on a 5 star recommendation from one of my Goodreads friends..it isn't something I would have been drawn to on my own. This book is about a War Veteran who lost the ability to speak and write due to an injury. He still has the rest of his facilities, has normal intelligence and understands everything that is being said to him. He jusThis is one of those books that highlights the fact that sometimes one book that is great for one person, just doesn't do it for another. I picked up this book based on a 5 star recommendation from one of my Goodreads friends..it isn't something I would have been drawn to on my own. This book is about a War Veteran who lost the ability to speak and write due to an injury. He still has the rest of his facilities, has normal intelligence and understands everything that is being said to him. He just can't communicate. HELLO....what about sign language?? That part drove me crazy. His injury is 20 years old and he hasn't learned how to do sign language?? The part of the book that was engaging was the relationship he was forced to build with the 9 year old son of his high school girlfriend. She needs to go to a drug rehab and needs someone to take care of Ryan. Ryan comes to stay with him and his 3 housemates for an undetermined amount of time. Having Ryan there forces the main character to go outside of his box. He soon finds himself in situations where he really needs to communicate. This is the beginning of his realization that maybe life wasn't so great in his self inflicted exile. He realizes that he does want to engage and be a part of something. I ended up skimming a lot of the end...it just wasn't that great--for me....more

I am reading this, not listening to the audio. I am a little underwhelmed. It is definately an interesting read, brings up some good points that are kind of subtle. But it is getting boring...Little action. And a little more graphic with the sexual content then I expected! For a non-romance reader, it was a bit unexpected for me. Think raunchy sex/self-love from a frustrated man's perspective...

After Finishing: Take Two of my review...Ok, I think it was a nicely written book, with very interestiI am reading this, not listening to the audio. I am a little underwhelmed. It is definately an interesting read, brings up some good points that are kind of subtle. But it is getting boring...Little action. And a little more graphic with the sexual content then I expected! For a non-romance reader, it was a bit unexpected for me. Think raunchy sex/self-love from a frustrated man's perspective...

After Finishing: Take Two of my review...Ok, I think it was a nicely written book, with very interesting things going on, but it just went on toooooo looooooong. It was the book that wouldn't end! The last 5 chapters were excrutiating, but luckily for the the author, I think they were SUPPOSED to be excruciating. In which case he did his job right. You are so ready for Howie to just finally stop wallowing in his grief. I get so tired of self deprication in characters. Come on man! Life is ALWAYS a choice, particulary the way you handle it. And yes, it was graphic, not that I am any prude by any means. I have read plenty of graphic things, it just came as unexpected in this case. Enough with the masturbating already! I understand why it was there, but pages long? I mean I get it... It is a sad situation, he is lonely, he can't pull himself out of his funk, but it all just got a little old....more

CarlyI get what you're saying about The Ha-Ha. Would you be willing to read another "men's experience in America" book? The Memory of Running by Ron McLartI get what you're saying about The Ha-Ha. Would you be willing to read another "men's experience in America" book? The Memory of Running by Ron McLarty is a great companion piece....more
May 23, 2008 01:50PM

SuzieI would consider reading "The Memory of Running". We read "The Ha-Ha" for our book discussion at the library where we work. Sometime last year the samI would consider reading "The Memory of Running". We read "The Ha-Ha" for our book discussion at the library where we work. Sometime last year the same group read "The Memory of Running", but that was before I became involved in the group. I will keep it in mind!...more
May 25, 2008 09:15AM

This is the story of Howard Kapostash, a brain-damaged Viet Nam vet who has managed to establish himself in a fairly normal life. He has 3 housemates, and works as a gardener for a convent of nuns. Although he can't speak or write because of his brain damage, Howard is not at all lacking in intelligence or understanding. He is prone to episodes of frustration because of his inability to communicate his thoughts and insights. He is also troubled by his continuing and rather obsessive attachment tThis is the story of Howard Kapostash, a brain-damaged Viet Nam vet who has managed to establish himself in a fairly normal life. He has 3 housemates, and works as a gardener for a convent of nuns. Although he can't speak or write because of his brain damage, Howard is not at all lacking in intelligence or understanding. He is prone to episodes of frustration because of his inability to communicate his thoughts and insights. He is also troubled by his continuing and rather obsessive attachment to Sylvia, his high school girlfriend turned drug-addicted single mother, who routinely rejects his overtures of love while accepting his devotion as a given. When Sylvia is forced into rehab and leaves her son Ryan (not Howard's) in his care, his life is drastically changed. The process of his winning over the sullen 9-year-old and forging a wonderful father-son relationship with him is beautiful and inspiring. Finally, Howard has something in his life that makes him happy and that he can count on... or so it seems. This is one of those "I laughed, I cried, it became a part of me" sort of novels, which I highly recommend....more

Dave King holds a BFA in paintingand film from Cooper Union and an MFA in writing from Columbia University. King's debut novel, The Ha-Ha, was named one of the best books of 2005 by The Christian Science Monitor and The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review and was among eighteen books included on The Washington Post list of the season's best novels. The Ha-Ha was a finalist for Book-of-the-Month Club's "BestDave King holds a BFA in paintingand film from Cooper Union and an MFA in writing from Columbia University. King's debut novel, The Ha-Ha, was named one of the best books of 2005 by The Christian Science Monitor and The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review and was among eighteen books included on The Washington Post list of the season's best novels. The Ha-Ha was a finalist for Book-of-the-Month Club's "Best Literary Fiction" award and the Quills Foundation "Best Debut Author" award and won King a 2006-07 Rome Prize Fellowship from the American Academy of Arts and Letters.

King's poetry has been published in The Paris Review, among other venues, and has been nominated for a Pushcart Prize. He has taught English at Baruch College and cultural studies and poetry at the School of Visual Arts in New York, and he divides his time between Brooklyn and the Hudson Valley of New York.

The Ha-Ha is currently in development from Warner Brothers Pictures, with Tod Williams slated to direct. The book has also found success in several foreign language editions, with more forthcoming....more